Punjab rights panel pulls up rural dept for ignoring not filing report on bio-medical waste
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Chandigarh: The Punjab State Human Rights Commission (PSHRC) has issued a show-cause notice to the state's rural development and panchayats department for failing to submit a report on the management of bio-medical waste, despite repeated directions.
The commission had taken suo motu cognisance of a Times of India report highlighting that several health facilities in Punjab were operating without mandatory authorisation under the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016. Reports were accordingly sought from the departments of health, animal husbandry, and rural development and panchayats. While the departments of health and animal husbandry filed their responses, the rural development and panchayat department failed to do so.
In its latest order, expressing strong displeasure over continued non-compliance, the commission observed that neither the report sought via its Sep 6, 2024, order, nor any communication explaining the delay, was received. It noted that proceedings in the case were being "inordinately delayed" due to the department's non-compliance.
Invoking Section 16 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, the commission directed the director of the department to show cause why penal action should not be recommended for "intentionally and wilfully" withholding the report despite several opportunities.
The commission warned that a reply must be filed at least one week before the next hearing on Oct 30, 2025, failing which the matter would be decided ex parte.
The case was also referred to the chief secretary, Punjab, to examine the lapse and ensure compliance. A copy of the present order, along with earlier orders dated May 6, 2024; Sept 6, 2024; and Dec 20, 2024, was sent for necessary action and information.
According to data, Punjab has 14,715 health facilities that collectively generate around 24.65 tonnes per day (TPD) of bio-medical waste.
Segregation is carried out at source in individual healthcare facilities before being transported to common bio-medical waste treatment facilities (CBWTFs) for processing and disposal. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) monitors the process through its 16 regional/field offices.
Under Rule 10 of the Bio-Medical Waste Management Rules, 2016, every healthcare facility engaged in generating, collecting, transporting, storing, or disposing of such waste must obtain authorisation from the PPCB.
Any violation invites strict penalties.
Reckless and improper disposal of medical waste — such as used syringes, soiled bandages, and expired drugs — poses a grave risk to human health, wildlife, and the environment. Contamination of soil, groundwater, and air due to biomedical waste mismanagement, they caution, could trigger a public health and ecological crisis if not addressed urgently.
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